Tobacco-stripping machine.



No. 715,652. P'atentedec. 9. 1902. F. G. FRANKAENBEBG.

TOBACCO STBIPPING MACHINE.

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No. 7|5,652. Patented Dec. 9." |902. F. (i.- FRANKENBERG.

TOBACCO STRIPPING MACHINE.

(Application med Muy 24, 1902.)

(No Model.)

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F. G. FRANKENBERG.

ToBAccu sTmPPmG MACHINE.

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ltllllllllllllhmllll w@ b I y' ,uml l A lllulll Patented Dec. 9, |902 F. G. FRANKENBERG. TGBACCU STBIPPING MACHINE.

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(Appleation led May 24,1902.)

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HHHIII No. 75,652. vFammi' nec. 9, |902. a F. arnmxensns.

TDBACCU STRIPPING MACHINE.

(Application led Nay 534, 1902.) n0 model.) |zsm1sfshm-5.

No. 7|5,652. v Y Patented Deo. 9. |902.

F.` G. FRANKENBERG.

TOBACCO STRIPPING MACHWE.

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(No Model.) y I2 Sheets-Sheet 6.

Patented Dec. 9, |902. F. G. FBANKENBERG.

TUBCCO STRIPPING MACHINE.

(Applca'tion mea May 24. 1902.)

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(No Model.)

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TOBACCO STRIPPING MACHINE.

(Application filed Hay 24, 19029;

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(No Modal.)

YN: nonms PErERs co., Phmnufnc, wAsHmaw Y Patentedec. 9. |902. F. G. FRANKENBEBG. TOBACCO STRIPFIINGy MACHINE.

(Application filed May 24, 1902.)

I2 Sheets-Sheet Il.

(No Model.)

Iwata- 4 i X :rife-Efi- V JQWMQMM 1' mms #Flins cey No. l7l5,652. Patented Dec. 9, I9U2.

F. G.' FRANKENBERG.

TUBCCO STRIPPING MACHINE.

' (Application filed Muy 24, 1902;) i (No'Modl.) I2 SheetsSheet I2'.

UNrrnn STATES ATENT OFFICE;

FREDERICK G. FRANKENBERG, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO LANDON-SHARP MACHINE COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TOBACCO-STRIPPING MACHINE..

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 715,652, dated December 9, 1902. Application filed May 24,1902. Serial No. 108,755. [No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK G. FRANK- ENBERG, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tobacco-Stripping Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to tobacco-stripping machines, and has for its object improvements in the construction and operation of such machines.

In machines of the class to which the present invention relates the stem of the tobaccoleaf is inserted between knives, which openand close, and after the knives are closed the stem is seized by lingers and drawn through the knives, leaving the leaf on one side of the knives and discharging the stem on the other. The knives and gripping-lingers operate coutinuously, and to facilitate the presentation of the stem of the leaf at the proper time certain automatic feeding and indicating devices are added.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawingsLin which- Figure l is a plan. Fig. 2 is a front elevation. Fig. 3 is a side elevation. Fig. 4 is a section on line 4 4of Fig. 3, showing the lower part of the machine in plan. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a rear elevation, the frame being shown in section on line 6 6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is an enlarged elevation, partly in section on line 7 7 of Fig. 8, showing the knives and their associated devices. Fig. 8 is a section on line 8 8 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a section ou line 9 9 of Fig.7 and illustrates, atan enlarged scale, some of the devices shown in Fig. 4. Figs. l0 and Il are enlarged elevations in two positions of the stem-gripping fingers and theirconnections. Fig. l2 isa section on line l2 l2 of Fig. l0. Fig. 13 is a perspective View of one of the jaws of the gripping-dngers. Fig. 14 is a perspective detail of the sliding block for operating the fingers. Fig. I5 is a perspective View of a pair of knives. Fig. 16 is a detail of the yielding bearings of one of a pair'of knives, and Fig. I7 is a detail showing adjustment for tension of springs for forked levers.

In the said drawings, A and A are side frames connected together by tie-bolts A2. Supported in the side frames is a drive-shaft B, to which power is conveyed by a pulley B. From a gear B2 on the shaft B power is conveyed through an idle gear B3 to a gear C on the shaft C, which is provided with cranks C2 and C3.

Across the top of the machine is a bridge A3, provided with two pairs of lugs A4. In each pair of lugs is pivoted a lever D, within which is a slot D. Secured to each lever by bolts running through the slots D are blocks D2, provided with pins D3. From the pins D3 pitmen C4 connect to the cranks C2 and C5.' When the cranks revolve, being on opposite sides of the shaft C, they vibrate the levers D alternately back and forth. The slots D permit of adjusting the positions of the blocks D2, and consequently the pins D3, the result of which is a corresponding variation in the amplitude of the vibrations of the levers D. In the lower end of each lever is a second slot D4, in which is asliding block made up of the parts D5 and D5. These parts are secured together by bolts D7. At the extreme lower end of each lever D is a bolt D8, to which are pivoted the gripping-fingers E, which are made up of right-angled levers which cross each other and are connected together after the manner of the jaws of ordinary pliers. At the outer ends E of the fingers E are connected the links E2, the other ends of which links are connected to the lower pins D7 in the blocks D5. Theconstruction of these parts is such that when the blocks D5 rise in the slots D4 the fingers E are closed together, so as to grip anything that may be between them. When the blocks D5 move downward in the slots D4, the connected fingers E are opened to release anything previously gripped. Partly in a hole D9 in the block D5 and partly in a corresponding hole in the lever D at the upper end of the slot D4 is a spring D10, the action of which is to press the block D5 downward and cause the fingers E to open when the said block is not held up, as will be hereinafter described. On the inner face of each jaw ofthe fingers E is secured a small piece of leather or other yielding material E3, which serves as a buffer IOO when the said fingers are closed. Secured in one nger Eis a pin E4, which fits into a corresponding hole E5 in its mate. The object of this pin is to hold the ngers more securely in line with each other when under strain.

Secured to the upper bolt D7 of each lever D are the rods F, which connect, by means of the springs F2, with the front end of a forked lever G. In each rod F is a turnbuckle F, by means of which the said rods are lengthened and shortened, with consequent adjustment of the springs F2.

The levers G are pivoted on a rod G', which is supported in the frames A and A. On the rear end of each lever G is a roller G2, which is engaged by a cam H on the shaft I-l. On the rear part of the bridge A2 are the b'rackets A5, by which is su pported the rod A5. This rod is vertically adjusted by means of the set-screws A8 and the blocks A7, which are guided in the brackets A5. Between the rod A6 and the levers G are the springs G2, which act to hold the rollers G2 against the cams H. The cams H are made up of circles and abrupt inclines, so that the levers G will be held for a considerable length ot' time at either of two positions and will be moved quickly from one position to the other. This movement of a lever G is conveyed through the connecting-springs F2 and t-he rods F to the block D5and from this block through the links E2 to the fingers E to open and close them. When a cam H raises the rear end of a lever G, the tension on the springs F2 is relaxed, when the spring D10 pushes the block D5 downward, and consequently opens the fingers E. Vhen the roller G2 passes off of the high part of the cam I-I, the spring G2 raises the forked end of the lever G, thus applying,r tension to the springs F2 and compressing the spring Dw by raising the block D5. The result of this is aclosing of the fingers E. It will be observed that the closing action is through the springs F2, which gives a yielding pressure on the stems of the leaves seized by said fingers and that the amount of this pressure is adjustable by means of the turnbuckle F.

From the gear B3 power is conveyed to an idle-gear B41 and from there to a gear H2 on the shaft H to turn said shaft and its cam H. Also from the gear B4 power 4is conveyed through the gear B5 to a gear J' on the shaft J, which runs across the machine at the rear. By means of the bevel-gears J2 power is conveyed from sha-ft J to the two shafts K, which extend through to the front of the machine, and by means of the gears K2 power is conveyed from the shafts K to parallel and corresponding shafts K. On each pair of shafts K and K' are the rotary knives or blades K2 and K4, which are preferably made of sheet metal and which have portions offset in opposite directions from a medial line running through them. The offset portions of a pair of knives overlap each other, and the peripheries of the knives are provided with notches K5 at the points where the oppositely offset portions unite. As these knives rotate the notches of opposite knives come together and lirst embrace the stems of leaves placed between them and then open and release the embraced stem. In Fig. 7 the left-hand pair of knives are in a position ready to receive between them the stem of a tobaccoleaf, while the right-hand pair of knives have the stem embraced at its closest position. The stems of leaves are not all of the same size,- and to accommodate variations in size the bearings K6 of the shafts K are made yielding, as shown in Fig. 16. This is accomplished by placing the bearing K6 in guides K7 and pressing it toward the opposite knife by a spring K8. An adjustable block Kg serves as a means for varying the force with which the knives are pressed together, and a set-screw K10 serves to limit the approach of the knives toward each other. To permit the knives K3 to yield, their shafts K have their forward portions made in sections, as shown at K11, the effect of which is to make the said shafts iieXible at this place.

Across the front of the machine is a plate L, provided with a ledge L, which serves as a support for the bearings K12 of the shafts K, and guides K7 for the bearings K6 of the shafts K. The shafts K and K extend through this plate, and the knives K3 and KL1 are supported closely adjacent to its front face. At points between each pair of knives the plate L bulges inward, as shown at L2, and the upper portion is cut away on an incline. The inward bulge gives room for the stems of leaves as they are moved downward by the rotation of the knives K3 and K4, and the cutaway leaves room for the ngers E on the 1ever D to grasp the ends of the stems while they are embraced and moved by the knives.

Supported partly by brackets L3 and partly by a ledge formed by the upper edge of the plate L are tables L4, upon which are piled the leaves to be fed to the machine. In Fig. 2 these tables are shown provided with dropleaf extensions L5 for use when an extra amount of tobacco is piled on the machine. At the inner edges of the tables L4 and secured to the frames are vertical boards L5. The leaves are placed on the tables, with the ends of their stems against the boards L5, which boards serve as guides. The tables L4 and boards LG terminate just before reaching the centers, at which the stems are embraced between a pair of knives. At the center of the machine, between the two pairs of knives, is a central table L7, upon which is a casing L2.

Secured to the tables L4 and L7 are a series of fingers L. These lingers project downward to nearly the centers of the shafts K and K and form channels or guides so located that when a tobacco-leaf is pushed by hand off of a table L4 the said leaf drops into this channel and is guided thereby, so that the ICO IIO

stem comes to the proper positionto be `embraced by the adjacent rotating knives K3 and K4. l

Secured to the front ends of the shafts K and K by means of couplings M are shafts M. These shafts M are extensions of the shafts K- and K and are adjustable with respect thereto by the said couplings.

Supported on the central table L7 are guidestandards N, and at suitable places on the inside of the casing L8 are guides N. There are two standards N and two guides N at each end of the casing L8. Guided to slide in an inclined direction in guides N and N are pins or rods N2. Assuming one side of the machine, on the front and rear rods N2 is supported a bar N2 to which are secured a series of lingers N4 which extend'downward at an incline parallel to the rods N2.

Located under the table L7 are the shafts N5, which are supportedin bearings N9. On each end of the shafts N5 are the bell-crank levers N7, which are provided with slots N9, that engage rollers N9 on the ends of the bars N9. Secured to the coupling M on the shaft K are four lingers M2, arranged to engage the short arm of the adjacent bell-crank N7. At the other end of the shaft M are four other lingers M2, arranged to engage the other bellcrank. As the shaft M rotates the fingers M2 one after another engage the levers N7. The front and rear fingers M2 are so adjusted that they operate simultaneously on vthe bellcranks N7, first raising them and then permitting them to drop back by gravity. As

the bell-crank levers rise they raise the connected rod N2 and their lingers N4. When the bell-crank levers N7 are down in their normal position, the fingers N4 close the entrance to the guiding-channel formed by the lingers L9, and thus prevent leaves from falling into said channel. When the bell-cranks rise under the action of the lingers M2, the lingers N4 are drawn back and upward, so as to open the ent-rance to the said channel and permit a leaf to fall with its stern in position to be embraced by the knives K9 and K4. Also on each shaft M are four rows of fingers M3, arranged so that they project between the lingers L9 into the leaf-guiding channel or chute and beyond the ends of the corresponding lingers M3 of the adjacent shaft M. Secured on the side of the casing LS is a bell N19, and adjacent to it is a clapper N11, arranged to be struck by one of the bell-cranks N7 or by the rod N9, so as to sound the said bell and notify the operator when the adjacent guiding-channel is closed by the fingers N4. On the opposite side of the casing L8 is another bell N19 of a different tone, arranged to be similarly sounded,` so as to notify the operator on that side of the machine that his guidingchannel has been closed by the dropping of the lingers N4 across the entrance to that channel.

The relationship of the several parts just described is best illustrated in Fig. 7. When an operator hears his bell ring, the devices on his side of the machine are in a position shown at the right in Fig. 7. At that instant he pushes a leaf, which has its stem against and is guided by the board L6 into the opening between the tables Ll and L7. It then rests partly upon the plate which forms the upper portion of the right-hand fingers L9and partly upon the rods N2 and the lingers N2, that lie between the rods N2. As the upper portions of the knives K3 and K4 rotate toward each other the linger M2 engages vthe short arm on the bell-crank N7 and raises the rods N2 and fingers N4 to permit the leaf to fall intothe guiding-channel between the fingers L9. By the time the entrance to the guiding-channel is open enough to permit the leaf to drop the fingers M3 have passed between the lingers L9 into the guiding-channel and serve as a support to prevent the leaf from falling too far. In the meantime the notches Khave moved toward each other and are in a position to receive the stem of the leaf as it falls. The relative positions of these -parts is then that shown at the left hand of Fig. 7. By a still further movement of the shafts M the notches K5 close in on the stem of the leaf, and the lingers M2 graduallylower the leaf through the guiding-channel or chute. As the knives continue to rotate the notches close closer and closer upon the stem of the leaf until they assume the position shown at the point midway between the shafts M at the right hand of Fig.7, after which the notches begin to separate, and finally permit the leaf to drop downward. At the time whenthe notches K5 first close over the stem of a leaf, which would be at a position about midway between those shown at the right and left in Fig. 7, the lingers E have moved forward closely adjacent to the rear faces of the knives and seize the stern as it protrudes through between the said knives. As the notches gradulOO IIO

ally close upon the stein the stem is being rapidly drawn through the diminishing aperture made by said notches. The diminution of the size of the aperture between the knives corresponds closely to the diminution of the size of the stem being drawn through it. This is true up to the time the notches pass the center, after which the aperture increases in size. In stripping tobacco-leaves in this way the stripped portion piles up against the blades of the knives, and to prevent the breaking of the stem by such piling up it is necessary to slacken the grip around the stem. This is what happens when the notches K5 pass the center. The exact point at which this slackening of the grip around the stem by the knives should occur differs somewhat in leaves of different sizes and is amatterofexperiment. Topermittheknives to be adjusted circumferentially with respect to the forward and backward movement of the associated gripping-fingers E, the said knives are secured to their respective shafts by means of the nuts K13, as shown in Fig. 8.

v If it is desirable that the closure around the stem slacken sooner, the knives are advanced on their shafts, While if it is desirable that it occur later theyare moved backward, in either case being secured in place by the nuts K13. By means of the adjustable character of the connection M between the knife-shafts K and K and the shafts M, as shown in Fig. 8, the lingers M3 are circumferentially adjustable with respect to the knives K3 and K1. This permits a control of the exact time at which the entrance of the leaf-guiding channel shall be opened. The adjustable character of the coupling M also permits the supporting-fingers M3 to be adjusted circumferentially with respect to the notches K5. As the stripped leaf drops from the knives it falls upon a revolving brush P on the shaft P and is thrown forward onto a conveyer P1. There is abrush P for each pair of knives K3 and K1, and the said brushes are driven b v a belt P3 from a pulley B0 on shaft B to a pulley P2 on shaft P. The speed of the brushes P' is comparatively rapid, and to prevent the stripped leaf being thrown too far there is provided a guard P3, adjacent to the front edge of the conveyer P11. This conveyer is driven by a shaft P0, which extends to the rear of the machine, and which is in turn driven by the shaft .l through the intervention of bevelgears and a short vertical shaft PT. The action of the brushes P' in striking and throwing the leaves as they drop from the strippingknives is to open them. up or loosen them from the hunched condition in which they leave said knives.

Running across the rear part of the ma chine is a shaft Q, (see Fig. 4,) on which are brushes Q', arranged to engage and clean the gripping-fingers E at their eXtreme rear position after they have released the stem they have drawn through the strippingknives. The shaft Q is driven from one of the shafts K by means of a pair of spiral gears Q3.

A worm-gear P3 on the shaft P0 serves to convey power to a conveyer P0, which carries the stripped stems to the rear of the machine after they have been dropped by the gripping-fingers E. Supported on the bracket L3, under the leaf-guiding channels, is another small conveyer P10, that carries toward the front anything that drops upon it. The object of this conveyer is to keep off of the conveyer P4 any leaves, pieces of leaves, or odd articles of any kind that may fall into the leaf-guiding channels other than that which is stripped from stems drawn through the knives. To accomplish this to the best advantage, there is left between the inner end of the conveyer P10 and the front plate L only enough room for the stripped part of the leaf to fall down upon the brush P. The remaining part of the space under the leaf-guiding channels is covered by the conveyer P10. Large leaves when stripped form large bunches against the face of the knives and require considerable space to fall through, while small leaves are short, form only small bunches, and require only a small space. 'To accommodate the conveyer P10 to these differences and keep the opening through which the stripped leaves fallas small as possible, the brackets L3 are provided with slots L10, (see Fig. 4,) by means of which the bearings for the shafts of the conveyer P10 maybe moved toward or from the faces of the strippingknives. The said conveyer therefore acts in the capacity of a separator to keep unstripped leaves and foreign articles out of the stripped leaves which are deposited at one side of the machine by the conveyer P4. lf a leaf placed with its stem between the knives K3 and K4 should for any reason not have its stein drawn through the said knives, such leaf will drop with the greater portion of its length on the conveyer P10 and will be discharged at the front of the machine and not on the conveyer P4 with the stripped leaves. The conveyer P10 is driven from the conveyer P0 by means of the pulleys P11 and belt P13.

What I claim isl. In a tobacco-stripping machine, a pair of stripping blades or knives, means for opening and closing said blades, and automaticallyoperating means for permitting a leaf to drop with its stem between said blades at a predetermined time prior to the closing of said blades.

2. A pair of leaf-stripping knives, a chute serving as a means for guiding the stemv of leaves to a position between said knives, and a device for opening and closing said chute.

3. A pair of leaf-stripping knives, means for opening said knives so as to close them upon the stems of leaves placed between them, a chute serving as a guide for the proper placing of such leaves, and means for opening and closing said chute.

#1. A pair of stripping-knives arranged to close upon the stems of leaves, a guide for the proper placing of such leaves with respect to said knives, and means for supporting said leaves within said guide.

5. A pair of stripping-knives arranged to close upon the stems of leaves, a guide for the proper placing of such leaves with respect to said knives, and supporting devices located within said guides and arranged to gradually lower the leaves through said guides.

6. A pair of stripping-knives arranged to close upon the stems of leaves, a guide for the proper placing of such leaves with respect to said knives, a device for supporting the leaves within said guide, and automaticallyoperating means for controlling the entry of leaves into said guide.

7. A pair of revolving knives arranged to interlock with each other and to close upon lOO IIO

the stems of leaves substantially as described, guides for the proper placing of leaves with respect to said knives, and devices moving with said knives and arranged to support leaves while Within said guides.

8. In a tobacco-stripping machine, a pair of revolving and interlocking knives arranged to close upon the stems of leaves, and automatically-operating means for controlling the placing of leaves with their stems between said knives.

9. In a tobacco-stripping machine, a pair of knives arranged to open and close, a table serving to support tobacco-leavesand provided with an openingl leading to a guide for the proper placing of leaves with respect to said knives, and automatically operating means for opening and closing the entrance to .said guide.

10. yIn a tobacco-stripping machine, leafstripping knives arranged to open and close, a guide for the proper placing of the leaves with respect to said knives, a table provided with an opening leading to said guide, and automatically-operating means for causing a leaf to move slowly through said guide. y

11. In a tobacco-stripping machine, leafstripping knives arranged to open and close, a guide for the proper placing of leaves with respect to said knives, a table provided with an opening leading to said guide, means for opening and closing the entrance to said guide, and means for loweringa leaf through said guide.

12. The combination with a leaf-stripping machine, of a guide for the proper presentation of a leaf'to said machine a table provided with a passage-way leading to said guide, and devices for opening and closing said passage- Way.

13. The combination with a leaf-stripping machine, of a guide for the proper presentation of aleaf to said machine, a table provided with a passage-way leading to said guide, and an indicating device for notifying the operator of a proper time for him to place a leaf in said passage-way.

14. The combination with a leaf-stripping machine, of a guide for the proper presentation of a leaf to said machine, a leaf-supporting device arranged to close the entrance to said guide, and automatically operating means for removing-said supporting device so as to permit a leaf to pass to said guide at the proper instant of time.

15. The combination with a leaf-stripping machine, of a guide for controlling the presentation of leaves to said machine, a leaf-supporting device arranged to close the entrance to said guide, automatically-operating means 'for removing said supporting device so as to J leaf therethrough, and a bell for indicating the closure of the entrance to said guide.

1,6. A pair of rotating shafts, leaf-stripping knives secured to and moved by said shafts, and leaf-conveying devices arranged to move a leaf presented to said knives at a speed corresponding to the movement of said knives.

17. A pair of rotating shafts, leaf-strippi ng knives moved by said shafts and a series of leaf-supportingfingers secured to and moved by said shafts.

18. A pair of rotating shafts, leaf-stripping knives secured to said shafts, a series of leafsupporting fingers also secured to said shafts, and a guide serving for the proper placing of the leaves with respect to said knives and said fingers.

19. A pair of rotating shafts, leaf-stripping knives secured to said shafts and provided with notches arranged to interlock substantially as described, leaf-supporting fingers secured to said shafts and arranged to support leaves in proper position with respect to the notches in said knives, a guide for securing the proper placing of leaves with respect `to said knives and said fingers, and means for controlling the admission of leaves to said guide.

20. The combination with a leaf-stripping device consisting of knives arranged to embrace the stems of leaves, and a gripping device arranged to draw the stems of leaves through the stripping device, of automatically-operating means for presenting leaves to said stripping and gripping devices.

21. The combination with leaf-stripping knives arranged to embrace the stems of leaves, of a guide for securing the proper placing of the stems of leaves between said knives, and means for controlling the admission of leaves to said guide.

22. The combination with a pair of disks provided with registering series of notches-in their edges, and means for rotating said disks so as to cause said notches to engage the stems of leaves, of automatically-operating devices for presenting the stems of leaves to notches in said disks.

23. The combination with a pair of disks provided with a registering series of notches in their edges, and means for rotatingsaid disks so as to cause said notches to engage the stems of leaves, of a guiding device for directing the proper presentation of the stems of leaves to said disks, and means for controlling the passage of leaves through said guide whereby the stems of said leaves are presented to said disks at the time corresponding notches of opposite disks are approaching each other.

24. The combination with a pair of disks provided with a registering series of notches in their edges, and means for rotating said disks so as to cause said notches to engage the stems of leaves, of a guide for securing the proper presentation of the stemsof leaves to the notches in said disks, means for controlling the admission of leaves to said guides,

IOO

IIO

IISv

and a moving support for the leaves arranged to move them at a speed corresponding to the speed of the notches in said disks.

25. The combination with a pair of leafstripping knives, and automatically-operating means for placing the stems of leaves between said knives, of devices for gripping the stems of leaves placed between said knives, and means for moving said gripping devices to and from said knives.

26. The combination with leaf-strippingdevices, and automatically-operating means for placing the stems ot' leaves in said stripping devices, of stem-gripping devices, means for moving the stem-gripping devices to and from the stripping devices, and means for adjusting the length of such movement.

27. The combination with a leaf-stripping device, of grippers adapted to seize the stem of a leaf placed in said device, means for closing said device, a spring for controlling the pressure of the grippers upon the stem, and a second spring arranged to open said grippers when the tension on the first-mentioned spring is relieved.

28. In the stem-gripping devices of a tobacco-stripping machine, a pair of grippingingers, a cam and connections for closing said gripping-fingers, a spring in said connections for controlling the pressure exerted by said gripping-lingers, and a second spring arranged to open said gripping-fingers when the tension on the first-mentioned spring is relieved.

29. In the stem-gripping devices of a tobacco-stripping machine, a pair of grippingfingers, a cam and connections for closing said gripping-lingers, a spring in said connections for controlling the pressure exerted by said gripping-fingers, means for varying the tension of said spring, and asecond spring arranged to open said gripping-lingers when the tension on the first-mentioned spring is relieved.

30. The combination with leaf-stripping devices, stem-gripping devices, and means for moving the gripping devices to and from the stripping devices, of a cleaning-brush located in the path of said gripping devices.

3l. In a tobacco-stripping machine, the combination with stem-gripping devices and means for moving them, of a revolving brush adapted to engage and clean said gripping devices.

32. In a tobaccostripping machine, the combination with a leaf-stripping device, of a stem-gripping device, means for moving said gripping device to and from the stripping device, means for operating said gripping device so as to close it at one extreme of its movement and open it at the other extreme, and a cleaning device arranged to engage said gripping device when opened.

33. In a tobacco-stripping machine, the combination with leatstripping devices, guides for the proper placing of leaves in said stripping devices, and a conveyer located beneath said guides, said conveyer being arranged to remove leaves not engaged by said stripping devices.

34. In a tobacco-stripping machine, a leafguiding channel, devices arranged to engage and strip leaves passing through said channel, a conveyer arranged to remove leaves stripped by said stripping devices, and a second conveyer arranged to remove leaves which pass through said channel but which are not engaged by said stripping devices.

35. In a tobacco-stripping machine, mechanism for stripping leaves from their stems, devices for separating stripped from unstripped leaves, and means for adjusting said devices for leaves of different sizes.

36. In a tobacco-stripping machine, a pair oi'leaf-st-ripping blades between which the stems of leaves are drawn and from which the stripped leaves drop, and a rotating brush against which the stripped leaves drop and by which the leaves are loosened after being stripped, substantially as described.

37. lIn a tobacco-stripping machine, knives arranged to close upon the stems of leaves, a guide for directing the stems of leaves to said knives, means for opening and closing the entrance to said guide, and means for adjusting the opening action of the guide and the closing action of the knives with respect to each other.

3S. In a tobacco-stripping machine, a pair of rotating knives for stripping leaves, leafsupporting tingers moving with said knives, and means for adjusting said knives and said fingers with respect to each other.

39. In a tobacco-stripping machine, a pair of leaf-stripping knives, a leaf-supporting table provided with an aperture a board LG serving as a guide for the longitudinal placing of leaves with respect to said knives, and a leaf-guiding channel for the proper lateral placing of leaves.

40. In a tobacco-stripping machine, the combination with leaf-stripping devices arranged to close around the stem of a leaf being drawn through the stripping devices and to gradually relieve the tightness of such closure, of means for adjusting said stripping devices so as to causesuch relief to occur at any desired point in the length of the stem being drawn therethrough.

41. In a tobacco-stripping machine, the combination with devices furnishing an aperture by means of which the stem of a leaf drawn through said aperture is stripped, of means for varying the size of the aperture through which the stem is drawn, and means for adjusting said variations so as to have them occur at desired points in the length of the stem drawn through said aperture.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 7th day of May, 1902.

FREDERICK G. FRANKENBERG. lVitn esses:

WM. A. ROWLAND, CASPERL. REDFIELD.

IOO 

